Overview

• DOGE, initially targeting $2 trillion in savings, has scaled back its goal to $150 billion as of April 2025, raising doubts about its fiscal effectiveness.
• Independent analyses estimate DOGE-related costs, including workforce disruptions and lost IRS revenue, could reach up to $145 billion this year.
• A federal court has reinstated 24,000 employees terminated by DOGE, adding to paid leave and rehiring expenses that erode claimed savings.
• The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is auditing DOGE’s savings claims, while dozens of lawsuits challenge its authority and incur growing legal fees.
• Elon Musk has reduced his involvement in DOGE, shifting focus to Tesla, as questions persist about the program’s long-term impact on federal services and efficiency.